Neuhardt camp accuses Austria of selling out to special interests

The campaign of attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) accused opponent state Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) of selling out to special interests on Monday.

The two are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. David Hobson (R-Springfield) in Ohio's 7th Congressional District. 

The Neuhardt camp is saying Austria has taken more than a half million dollars in contributions from "big money special interests, including some of the world's largest health care, insurance, oil, and banking companies - the same people who are responsible for many of the most serious problems facing our country."

The Neuhardt camp accused Austria of taking $111,000 from health care, pharmaceutical and insurance interests, including Pfizer, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Nationwide, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors;

The Neuhardt camp also said that Austria has recieved at least $53,000 from banking and finance interests, including American Banker's Association, Sallie Mae, National City, and Bank of America. They said he also received $36,400 from "Big Oil" and energy interests, including Marathon, ConocoPhillips, Ashland Oil, and American Gas Association.

Neuhardt spokesperson Jessica Kershaw called Austria a career politician who will have been bought and paid for before he hits the Capitol steps.

"Sharen won't sell out the voters of this District to big money special interests," Kershaw said. "This race is too close to call and Sharen strongly believes the people of this District deserve better than Steve Austria. Instead of taking money from the kinds of special interests her opponent is beholden to, Neuhardt recently advanced $110,000 to her campaign."

The Austria campaign fired at Neuhardt themselves, accusing Neuhardt's law firm of attempting to buy the election.